Engaged To Marry? 10 Tips for Outdoor Wedding Makeup

Getting married outside, or attending an outdoor wedding? Avoid a makeup meltdown with our tips to make your look last through the photos, cocktail hour, hugging & kissing, eating & drinking, and don’t forget the dancing!

Maybe you’re getting your makeup done by a pro, or maybe you’re more of a DIY kind of girl, but regardless which route you choose, we have some tips that will help you get through your special day without a makeup malfunction.

1. The Importance of Primer:

Whether or not you wear foundation, primer is an important base for anything you put on your face. It will help keep you shine free while preventing caking, creasing, and sweating of your makeup. A couple of our favorites are Smashbox Photo Finish Oil Free Foundation Primer Pore Minimizing $16-39; and Smashbox 24 Hour Photo Finish Shadow Primer $20 – this one’s great for long-lasting eye shadow!

2. Let Your Face Breathe:

For outdoor weddings, try to avoid thick foundation and moisturizer unless absolutely necessary. Painting your face won’t reflect the real you, and it’s also more likely to leave you smudged, oily and uneven. Sometimes a thin veil of lightweight mattifying powder foundation is all you need. With a kabuki brush, apply this power player by Make Up For Ever for a flawless finish: Pro Finish Multi-Use Powder Foundation, $36. And ladies, please, stick to shades that match your skin tone. Lay off the two-shades-too-dark foundation and orange-y bronzer so that your neck isn’t a distinctly different color than your face.

3. Go Easy on the Blush:

If it’s warm outside, your cheeks will tend to be naturally rosy, especially if you’re a bundle of nerves. A single sweep of powder blush or a tiny dab of cheek stain may be an option but, again, a little goes a long way in natural light! If you’re a powder blush girl, try Urban Decay’s Afterglow 8-Hour Powder Blush, $26. If you like the dewy, highlighting look of a blush stick, we love The Multiple by Nars, $39. And for a one-and-done, truly low maintenance experience, try (sparingly) Benefit’s cheek stain, Benetint, $30.

4. Shield Your Face from the Sun:

Decorative paper fans or small parasols are a creative way to block the rays, and they look cuter in photos than sunglasses (which also mess up your makeup). This could be one of your gifts to your bridesmaids! Go the extra mile by applying a non-oily SPF under your foundation or find a lightweight BB cream which includes SPF (like Dr. Jart+ Premium Beauty Balm with SPF 45, $39). No one wants to look like a tomato in the pictures.

5. Blotting Papers:

Oil blotting sheets are a necessity to have on hand, and they’re compact enough to fit in your clutch. If the sun is starting to heat things up, be sure to check your compact before taking pictures and, if you’re looking extra shiny, grab an oil blotting sheet and tap it onto your trouble spots. You’d be amazed what a quick fix this is (and sooo much better than caking on extra powder). There are many varieties of blotting papers – you can get them anywhere from Sephora to CVS (Clean & Clear brand) and they range from $5 to $10.

6. Hairspray Works Wonders for Setting:

You might not expect to see hairspray on a makeup tips list, but you’d be surprised what it can do, from removing stains to setting your makeup! Check out item #11 on the StyleCaster beauty blog post, “20 Makeup Hacks That Will Make Your Life Easier.”

7. Waterproof Liquid Eyeliner or Cake Liner:

Liquid eyeliner used to intimidate me, partly because I had a shaky hand and partly because it looks so bold and I was afraid to mess up (I still haven’t mastered the elusive cat eye). I always favored pencil liner until I realized how much more time it takes and how much harder it is on the delicate skin of your eyelids. Then a friend introduced me to cake liner. It’s dry until you dampen a small brush and swirl it into the cake liner, then it instantly transforms into something like a wet-dry eye shadow. Easy to apply, longer lasting, and more smudge-proof than pencil liner, cake liner is a great way to go. We love Laura Mercier Tightline Cake Liner, $24.

8. Cry-Proof Mascara:

You might think you won’t get all misty-eyed, but don’t take a chance – someone could make a touching toast that leaves you bawling! Admit it: it’s going to be an emotional day. Our favorite affordable waterproof mascara is CoverGirl LashBlast Volume Waterproof Mascara (in the orange tube), $6.99 from Target. Or, if you like the look of false lashes without the hassle and weight, try Younique Moodstruck 3D Fiber Lash Mascara, sold by independent consultants for approximately $30 (and worth every penny)!

9. Smudge-Proof Lips:

Lips are tricky. Through all the talking, sipping, kissing, smiling, and licking your lips (does anyone else do that when they’re nervous?), it’s downright difficult to find lip color that won’t smudge, dry out, flake, feather, smear, or transfer. Whether you like to keep it simple with balm or glam it up with gloss, it can be annoying to keep reapplying throughout the day. Lucky for you, we have some long-lasting favorites. Tints and stains like Tarte LipSurgence Matte Lip Tint, $24, followed up with YSL Rouge Pur Couture Glossy Stain, $36, are a great way to go and come in a variety of colors and finishes, so you don’t have to forego the gloss. And don’t worry, if you’re an au-naturel kind of girl and these products don’t tickle your fancy, item #9 on this StyleCaster beauty blog post will leave you with some solid advice, regardless which type of products you prefer.

10. Nails and Toes:

A mani/pedi might not count as ‘makeup,’ but it needs to last, nonetheless! For afternoon weddings, many women will get their nails and toes done same-day. It’s part of that spa-like girly bonding experience and one of the package services that ladies enjoy doing together. The only problem is, if you’ve chosen a salon you aren’t used to and they’re overwhelmingly busy, you might not always be able to rely on the quality of your service. I’ve heard sad stories of toenail polish being applied way too thick to fully dry, and then as soon as the dress shoes are slipped on the polish smudges all over the place. Or a protective top coat isn’t applied and a bridesmaid’s nail polish chips while helping the bride with her hair pins. Don’t let it happen to you! We encourage you to get your mani/pedi at least one day in advance of the wedding. Whether you like the classic look of French manicures and pink & white nails, or you’re going for a solid color that will complement the dresses and bouquets, both gel and acrylic nails are excellent options because of their durability and decreased likelihood of smudging, chipping, and cracking. Whatever you choose, it’s probably best to avoid busy designs (okay, maybe one accent nail if your dress is pretty simple). And if you really want to DIY, try Sally Hansen miracle gel, available at stores like CVS and Target for under $10.[adToAppearHere]

Your Checklist

1. Carry a small clutch containing the following items for quick touch-ups: (your Maid of Honor can hold onto this when necessary:
– a compact

– blotting sheets, like Clean & Clear brand or Sephora

– lipstick and/or gloss (see item #5)

– cotton swabs or Q-tips

2. About Face

– Primer: Smashbox Photo Finish Oil Free Foundation Primer Pore Minimizing $16-39; Smashbox 24 Hour Photo Finish Shadow Primer, $20

– Foundation or Primer: Make Up For Ever Pro Finish Multi-Use Powder Foundation, $36

– Blush: Urban Decay’s Afterglow 8-Hour Powder Blush, $26; The Multiple by Nars, $39; Benefit’s cheek stain, Benetint, $30

– Sun protection: Dr. Jart+ Premium Beauty Balm with SPF 45, $39; decorative fans or parasols

3. Staying Power– Regular hairspray

4. Cry-Proof Eyes: Laura Mercier Tightline Cake Liner, $24; CoverGirl LashBlast Volume Waterproof Mascara; or Younique Moodstruck 3D Fiber Lash Mascara, $30

5. Sipping, Kissing, and Cake-Proof Lips: Tarte LipSurgence Matte Lip Tint, $24; followed up with YSL Rouge Pur Couture Glossy Stain, $36

6. Nails and Toes:

– Sally Hansen Miracle Gel

And for one final pro-tip: cosmetic stores like Sephora and Ulta will usually give you sample sizes of any product you want to try, so it’s very economical. Don’t be scared away by the price tags of high-end cosmetics when you’re on a budget. Best of luck, and congratulations on your special day![adToAppearHere]

Are you a bride-to-be or in need of an excellent wedding photographer? Check out the MTI Photography blog and website for more information on products, services, and wedding day tips! http://www.mtiphotography.com/

Copyright 2015 Jessica Champion and 25 Hours Consulting, LLC. All rights reserved.